Government Affairs

State Issues

This year, 739 bills were introduced as well as several resolutions and constitutional amendments. This compares to 667 bills introduced in 2017, the Unicameral's most recent 90-day session. See list of legislation AIA Nebraska is following.

Rules The Legislature spent time discussing filibuster rules, in conclusion here is what was adopted: Minimum numbers of hours permitted for filibusters includes six hours for first-round debate, three hours for second, and 90 minutes for final reading.

Hearings Committee hearings on new legislation started last week. Hearings typically begin at 1:30pm (CT) each legislative day and will continue through March 28. Hearings are live at http://netnebraska.org/basic-page/television/live-demand-state-government.

Resources

Unicameral

AIA State and Local Issues

AIA Nebraska Government Affairs Committee

Chair, Patrick Leahy, AIA | CMBA Architects | Omaha

James Brisnehan, AIA | CMBA Architects | Grand Island

Richard Burton, AIA | City of Lincoln | Lincoln

Dave Johnson, AIA | Studio 951 | Lincoln

Matthew Gulsvig, AIA | DLR Group | Omaha

Melinda Pearson, FAIA | Lincoln

Greg Smith, AIA | Davis Design | Lincoln

Matt Stoffel, AIA | HDR | Omaha

Federal Issues

AIA Meeting with Senator Deb Fischer

SENATOR FISCHER’S DISTRICT OFFICE IN LINCOLN: GREG GALBREATH, AIA, SENATOR DEB FISCHER, SARA KAY, HON AIA, MATT GLAWATZ, AIA, MIKE TOMCZAK, AIA AND JARED GERBER, AIA

During Congress’s recess, AIA Nebraska leadership met with US Senator Deb Fischer of Nebraska at her district office in Lincoln. The following issues were discussed:

• Challenges surrounding Veteran Affairs Projects in Omaha + Lincoln
• National Design Act - Student debt relief
• Historical Tax Credits
• Small Business Administration size standards
• Procurement Reform

AIA Meeting With Congressman Brad Ashford

A successful collaborative meeting was held May 7, 2015 between Congressman Brad Ashford, District 2, of Omaha, representatives of AIA Omaha and The UNMC Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center. The meeting enabled AIA Omaha Board of Directors to begin a dialogue with Congressman Ashford on several issues that emerged from the AIA Leadership and Grassroots meeting in DC in March. “Due to the snowstorm on Capitol Hill it allowed us an opportunity to have a very productive meeting with the Congressman in the District. In fact, he offered to co-sponsor the National Design Services Act,  said Brian Spencer, AIA, AIA Omaha President. Please see the below issues.

In addition, an informative presentation on the mission and construction aspects of the

the UNMC Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center was given by Bruce Carpenter, AIA and Ken Cowan, Center Director. See link to powerpoint.

The meeting concluded with an on-site construction tour of the UNMC Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center.  

Issues Discussed

2030 Targets - Support federal 2030 targets and pass true consensus energy efficiency legislation. The AIA is leading a 1000-group coalition to protect federal sustainability laws, and will continue to fight for common-sense legislation that provides more tools for architects to design sustainably.

Safe Building Code Incentive Act - Support legislation that will make buildings safer and communities more resilient to adverse events by encouraging adoption of the latest building codes.

National Design Services Act - Pass the National Design Services Act. The AIA and the American Institute of Architecture Students will continue their efforts to advance legislation to provide architecture graduates with debt relief in exchange for community design services.

Historic Tax Credits - Historic preservation incentives help communities expand and prosper, while preserving their heritage and creating jobs. The AIA and its allies will work to ensure that these incentives are not lost in tax reform.